Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1887-07-05
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lit canfdster jrrg,IInruukr,
IAxCAsrER. JULY 8. 1851.


Yh0 occurrences OF THIS anniversary Ot
~ Fourth Of July intensity the public
Aannnud for the cessation Of the burning OF
nssVorks upon the streets Of cities. Phila-
aoaphia . number Of years ago, under the
eGAcient administration Of Mayor King,
insugurated the reform which has saved
that town millions Of dollars in money and
glven the people the inexpressible satisfac.
tloo q freedom from the horrid noises and
snxieties OF the Fourth, as other less
fprtunate people know it. So decided
= public opinion in Philadelphia in
approving tho present order, that its
ursssut law 20 rigidly forbids the obnox-
ious discharge Of firearms and fireworks as
% have made it imperative upon Mayor
ritler TO refuse permission to an artillery
ha&tery to fire Fourth of July morning
nlute, that it has regularly discharged for
many years. This would have been inno-
4 ceut enough in itself; and the people OF
Philadelphia would doubtless be content
I with moderate amount Of patriotic noise
cn the Fourth; but experience has shown
! that there can not be any limitation fixed
that y not an absolute prohibition Of fire
works Of every kind.
Life u q burthen to every sensible person
On TIE Fourth of July. 1t is made 80 by
the fools who abound on such occasions
and who do not know how to enjoy and
employ the liberty given them 50 as not to
/ b nuisances to their fellows.
II the children could be permitted to
hava their innocent Chinese crackers and
min wheels without allowing the bigger
babies to indulge their love Of noise by dis
charge of double knockers and other
fieudish contrivances for the amusement Of
idiots, there would be no great need OF
forbiddinQ fireworks in the cities; but with
the indiscriminate use that prevails OF
powder explosives, it has become an abso'
Int necessity. New York has suffered Sc
verely through CONGREGATIONS OF stored
arnnRSxS, and our own town has had q
small experience of the same kind on this
anniversary; and the public safety requires
that a peremptory stOppage should he put
to the sale and discharge Of all firearms and
fireworks within the city limits.
Lancaster had such an ordinance, passed
In 1925, until in 1852 it was amended 80 as
70 permit the sale and discharge Of fire.
works, except chasers and firearms, on the
I'D. 4th and 9TH Of July. Chasers are no
longer aadAS; 70 .shas '1sss psohi0tisoH II
only Of guns and pistols; which amounts
70 nothing, since 1t is not enforced
and probably cannot lie amid the greater
din of louder explosives. Our mayor
every year issues his proclamation declaring
that the city ordinance will be enforced.
It is rs futile document as it could posi-
4 bly, be, and simply brings his office and au-
8 thOrity into contempt. 1t is not enforced
: or attempted to be, even to the extent Of
stopping the discharge of fireworks on all
days but the Sd, 4th and 9TH of July,
The second of July this year was only less
noisy than the 4th, and all last week tn,
popping of crackers by the small boy
Z OF the town was unmOlested by the police
& Councils should reform the fireworks ordi
nance and return to the law of 1875, for
bidding entirely and at all times the salt
and discharge Of fireworks and firearm
within the city. 1t is the only way t
mako property safe and life endurable al
this season. What an unfortunate lot wa,
that Of those who were i'll and suffering il
J this city yesterday and sorely in need o.
quiet and who can help pitying their dis
tresp